'Very difficult to even want to bowl fast' - Siddons

Fast bowling remains a worryingly fleeting element of Bangladesh cricket. No international team can flourish without quality pace bowling, and the obstacles faced by any prospective fast man in Bangladesh are greater than most. The former coach Jamie Siddons painted a vexing picture of the pace outlook in the nation he has just vacated, where only the ageing and injury-stricken Mashrafe Mortaza has been close to transcending his environment.

"The first-class competition is very different, wickets are slow and low, dominated by spin, not always good spinners, but spinners tend to hold the score up and get wickets," Siddons told ESPNcricinfo. "Almost all of our first-class grounds are like that, so an opening bowler might bowl a four-over spell and then not come back until the second new ball sometimes. So in terms of developing fast bowlers it is very difficult for them to even want to bowl fast."

Paradoxically, the search for quick bowlers is also impeded by the conditions prepared to suit the home side in internationals. The surface at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur may be prepared more favourably for pacemen, but team management has been hesitant to do so out of fear that overseas visitors will take too much glee in exploiting the bounce. Nonetheless, Siddons argued the required pace talent was available in Bangladesh, and needed more thorough domestic infrastructure in order to tease it out.

"It's really difficult for a kid, there's not a lot of organised cricket in the right spots, so he's got to be spotted by talent spotters, which could be an ex-player," said Siddons. "There's a lot of academies that have sprung up across the country, that are not what we would call academies but they're run on park grounds, one coach and a lot of players.

"If they spot a player that is super-talented, they'll push them through and then filter them into Under-17s, Under-19s academies and that sort of thing. Players don't get the opportunity to play every Saturday like we do (in Australia), or school cricket at the same time in the middle of the week, that doesn't happen either.

"They might play three or four games a year, some kids, and some even less than that. I think it's organised, they're trying to organise it, but it's not as good as what we've got in Australia, and the reasons would probably be very varied, and I can't really tap into what they are."

A proving ground in the mould of the famous MRF pace foundation in Chennai would be useful to meet the needs of a nation. "You've got to find them in the first place, they're out there," Siddons said. "There's a couple of good tall guys who just haven't had the work done in their physique.

"I hope that's something everyone remembers now I'm gone, focus on the team yes but also look at the players coming up, because that's important, that's the most important thing. The bowlers will be there, we've just got to find them and nurture them and bring them through with the right system."

and winning against major teams is good..no doubt in that, even though i am an indian and hate that thrashing of 2007 world cup given by bangla to us , but still on that day, they played very good cricket no doubt in that as a team which plays good cricket wins..but in this world cup also, they did give some fight..except those two horrible games against windies n rsa...though rsa had a good bowling unit, but against windies, they should not have imposed the lowest total of the world cup...this thing is serious..and problem again is not talent, may be mental toughness

justk
on April 30, 2011, 2:37 GMT

@praxis:i did not say that bangla does not need fast bowler, and i said that problem is not of talent..the real problem is that none of them is able to understand how bangla cricketers play cricket..their method of playing cricket and working to develop it into a winning habit..coaches are just like managers, good managers always give inputs to maximise the strenght to make the combination into a winning one..even sri lankan cricket excelled when they started playing cricket their way, even indian cricket excelled when indian way of cricket came into picture..and yes, some fine tuning is essential..but that does not mean to complete change the face itself...

tkaikobad
on April 29, 2011, 18:18 GMT

This is my thought .... if BD wants to get more fast bowler they have to make fast bowler friendly pitch(Not all of them ...50% of all is ok). Then have to find out fast bowler...you cann't get them from 17 or 18 yrs age..We have to look to our ARMY, NAVY & Air force...if they can play while they are employed to army or navy, many will be interest to give a shot...

Mushtanda
on April 29, 2011, 17:43 GMT

AndyZaltzmannsHair: Yes, Bangladesh doesn't rely on the English county set-up, they just had to rely on India/Dalmiya to get Test status.

Praxis
on April 29, 2011, 16:31 GMT

@justk, your comment makes sense but good quicks are important part of the attack regardless of conditions and strength or strategies. Apart from a decent 1st class structure this issue is the biggest concern for BD(in my opinion). @tapooori, trust me, most of us are looking for the answer to your question for a long time. Also its very important for the BD fans to stop being so hyped over these occasional wins against stronger teams and be patient for the long-term improvements.

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 14:44 GMT

These are constructive feedbacks. Thanks Jamie.

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 11:21 GMT

Now jamie siddons should not blame the bangladeshi cricket system, when he was coach he got more than 2 years to work on those topics, why he is now complaining isn't clear

justk
on April 29, 2011, 9:56 GMT

after going through this artcile, it has become clear that why bangla cricket has gone into abysmal..no the reason is not talent or structure etc..the real reason is that no one is able to understand the bangla way of cricket..and i guess, siddons failed there big time...he was imposing australian way of cricket..that is sutiable only for australia..there was a time when india also used to be taken at their own backyard..but after 1992, we became strong at home atleast..and it took another 10 years to start winning at least one tests during the tours..there is nothing wrong in playing to the strength..infact, it should be posed a challenge for the visitors..sri lanka played to their strength, england plays according to their strenght..so does rsa and oz and new zealand..so bangla should prepare rank turners for the visitors..winning at home will create excitement amongst the young players to do more..then they can develop a team..

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 5:06 GMT

aussies are ranked no. 1 right now, this result was expected. at the same time, there is nothing wrong in trying to take advantage from spin supported pitch. india always do that for themselve. those who are saying ireland is better than bangladesh, they are daydreaming. they have played above their standard in this worldcup. congrats to them. bangladesh have beaten all test nations already and will shake them regularly within 2 years. its the youngest team, let them be more matured and experienced. some are saying ireland should be given test status. well, to be a test nation you need the imfrasructure which bangladesg have but ireland dont. @Finn92... how come you say those 3 irish bowler is 'pacer'. lol they are medium pacer and way slower than 'Rubel', 'Shafiul' and 'Mashrafi'. BD already have shown what they can do. Irish bowlers are lucky they still didn't face a 'Brutal Tamim Iqbal'. Irish batsmen can do it once in a while, Tamim do it very often...

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 3:29 GMT

Banglasdeh should play more cricket with similar standard teams like New Zealand and West indies (both of who we have whitewashed) for the next two years.

At the same time the Board should develop Pace Conducive pitches for 1st Class cricket and Division leagues and the premiere league....If possible they should also be developed for the national school cricket competitions.

We do have Mashrafe, Shahadat, rubel and Shafiul who are capable of bowling at 140 kmph.....but we need to make sure that the teeangers in the U-17 or U-19 learn to take care of their bodies especaily the fast bowlers ....with proper eating and fitness practice....Tru we would have been happier with an Alan Donald or Curtly Ambrose....Look at Zahir Khan.10 years ago he was a mediocre bowler but consistent fitness has taken him to a world class level somewhere mashrafe could have been if not for his fitness troubles.
Bd was once below Kenya in rankings and today boosts equal ranking points to West Indies

justk
on April 30, 2011, 2:41 GMT

and winning against major teams is good..no doubt in that, even though i am an indian and hate that thrashing of 2007 world cup given by bangla to us , but still on that day, they played very good cricket no doubt in that as a team which plays good cricket wins..but in this world cup also, they did give some fight..except those two horrible games against windies n rsa...though rsa had a good bowling unit, but against windies, they should not have imposed the lowest total of the world cup...this thing is serious..and problem again is not talent, may be mental toughness

justk
on April 30, 2011, 2:37 GMT

@praxis:i did not say that bangla does not need fast bowler, and i said that problem is not of talent..the real problem is that none of them is able to understand how bangla cricketers play cricket..their method of playing cricket and working to develop it into a winning habit..coaches are just like managers, good managers always give inputs to maximise the strenght to make the combination into a winning one..even sri lankan cricket excelled when they started playing cricket their way, even indian cricket excelled when indian way of cricket came into picture..and yes, some fine tuning is essential..but that does not mean to complete change the face itself...

tkaikobad
on April 29, 2011, 18:18 GMT

This is my thought .... if BD wants to get more fast bowler they have to make fast bowler friendly pitch(Not all of them ...50% of all is ok). Then have to find out fast bowler...you cann't get them from 17 or 18 yrs age..We have to look to our ARMY, NAVY & Air force...if they can play while they are employed to army or navy, many will be interest to give a shot...

Mushtanda
on April 29, 2011, 17:43 GMT

AndyZaltzmannsHair: Yes, Bangladesh doesn't rely on the English county set-up, they just had to rely on India/Dalmiya to get Test status.

Praxis
on April 29, 2011, 16:31 GMT

@justk, your comment makes sense but good quicks are important part of the attack regardless of conditions and strength or strategies. Apart from a decent 1st class structure this issue is the biggest concern for BD(in my opinion). @tapooori, trust me, most of us are looking for the answer to your question for a long time. Also its very important for the BD fans to stop being so hyped over these occasional wins against stronger teams and be patient for the long-term improvements.

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 14:44 GMT

These are constructive feedbacks. Thanks Jamie.

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 11:21 GMT

Now jamie siddons should not blame the bangladeshi cricket system, when he was coach he got more than 2 years to work on those topics, why he is now complaining isn't clear

justk
on April 29, 2011, 9:56 GMT

after going through this artcile, it has become clear that why bangla cricket has gone into abysmal..no the reason is not talent or structure etc..the real reason is that no one is able to understand the bangla way of cricket..and i guess, siddons failed there big time...he was imposing australian way of cricket..that is sutiable only for australia..there was a time when india also used to be taken at their own backyard..but after 1992, we became strong at home atleast..and it took another 10 years to start winning at least one tests during the tours..there is nothing wrong in playing to the strength..infact, it should be posed a challenge for the visitors..sri lanka played to their strength, england plays according to their strenght..so does rsa and oz and new zealand..so bangla should prepare rank turners for the visitors..winning at home will create excitement amongst the young players to do more..then they can develop a team..

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 5:06 GMT

aussies are ranked no. 1 right now, this result was expected. at the same time, there is nothing wrong in trying to take advantage from spin supported pitch. india always do that for themselve. those who are saying ireland is better than bangladesh, they are daydreaming. they have played above their standard in this worldcup. congrats to them. bangladesh have beaten all test nations already and will shake them regularly within 2 years. its the youngest team, let them be more matured and experienced. some are saying ireland should be given test status. well, to be a test nation you need the imfrasructure which bangladesg have but ireland dont. @Finn92... how come you say those 3 irish bowler is 'pacer'. lol they are medium pacer and way slower than 'Rubel', 'Shafiul' and 'Mashrafi'. BD already have shown what they can do. Irish bowlers are lucky they still didn't face a 'Brutal Tamim Iqbal'. Irish batsmen can do it once in a while, Tamim do it very often...

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 3:29 GMT

Banglasdeh should play more cricket with similar standard teams like New Zealand and West indies (both of who we have whitewashed) for the next two years.

At the same time the Board should develop Pace Conducive pitches for 1st Class cricket and Division leagues and the premiere league....If possible they should also be developed for the national school cricket competitions.

We do have Mashrafe, Shahadat, rubel and Shafiul who are capable of bowling at 140 kmph.....but we need to make sure that the teeangers in the U-17 or U-19 learn to take care of their bodies especaily the fast bowlers ....with proper eating and fitness practice....Tru we would have been happier with an Alan Donald or Curtly Ambrose....Look at Zahir Khan.10 years ago he was a mediocre bowler but consistent fitness has taken him to a world class level somewhere mashrafe could have been if not for his fitness troubles.
Bd was once below Kenya in rankings and today boosts equal ranking points to West Indies

tapooori
on April 29, 2011, 2:07 GMT

Jamie even if Bangladesh finds fast bowlers the problem will probably not be resolved. The actual problem which has kept Bangladesh cricket at a club level from the day they were prematurly and hastily granted test status is their over excitement. Why is so much of excitement in Bangladeshi players? This is the question to be answered and once, in this century, if someone finds the answer and able to address or may I say able to lower the excitement level of Bangladeshi players, from that day onward Bangladesh will become a more competative test playing nation. The only player who looks calm and composed is Shakib, a world class player unfortunately will be wasted among those very very very excited players.

SRT_GENIUS
on April 29, 2011, 0:49 GMT

@Utshab Par- Oxide: Of course Bangladesh is better than WI..... as long as Roach is not playing.

dummy4fb
on April 29, 2011, 0:08 GMT

its a shame hw proudly we compare ourselves to ireland & try to prove we r better..

Meety
on April 29, 2011, 0:06 GMT

@ mightymf - what about Zimbabwe? Anyways the Bangas have a 5-2 advantage over Ireland head to head, AND they beat England AND Ireland in the last W/Cup.
@ AndyZaltzmannsHair - I agree, & why is that to give credit to Ireland people have to bag the Bangas? I mean Zimbabwe is far worse then Bangladesh & have had Test status twice as long! Anybody that can't see the Bangas are improving with players like Shakib are biased. Players like Shakib could in theory be playing International cricket for another 10 to 15 years. I would imagine that with improving standards in their 1st class structure he'll be joined by a lot more quality amongst his teammates over that period!!!!

bobagorof
on April 29, 2011, 0:02 GMT

I think it says a lot about the problem that people have started focusing on 'Who is better out of Bangladesh and Ireland?". That's not the point. The point is that Bangladesh is not set up to develop decent pace bowlers, and without decent pace bowlers they will struggle to consistently compete at the highest level. India only reached No 1 in the world when they started winning away, and they only did that when their pace attack started backing up their batsmen.

AndyZaltzmannsHair
on April 28, 2011, 22:50 GMT

I feel sorry for Bangladesh cricket. Even after this defining past year some people can't seem to give them the credit they now deserve. They've beaten many of the top sides semi-consistently in their own backyard but people won't give them due recognition. Bangladesh IS a better team than Ireland. They have produced as many if not more shocks than Ireland in the WC and have a better head to head record. Their structure is much more independent as well. Ireland has to rely on the English county set-up heavily to groom players, Bangladesh doesn't. Also take a look at head to head results between the two nations.

Finn92
on April 28, 2011, 17:13 GMT

Your saying look at Bangladesh results compared to Ireland, lets see how many you won away from home? You prepare shitty slow tracks pack your team with average spinners and say look how good we are at producing spinners! Then you go to England, South Africa etc and get destroyed and you wonder why? Any half decent Test side needs good pace bowlers and you have none! Ireland already has a few; Rankin, Mooney and Johnston are all capable, you can't hope to win much with mediocre seamers, it's that simple.

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 16:33 GMT

ireland should consistently beat afghanistan, nedarlands, nepal and zimbabwe, before they could compete at elevated level. They also need more irish players, not the naturalized ones to truely represent irish cricketing heritage. UAE used to be the ireland many years ago with players from pak, indi and srilanka but quickly faded away.

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 13:47 GMT

If we had won 80% of the games played in our condition then I would have said yes, we need to change our wicket condition first but team like England and S.Africa trash BD in this condition all the time. So, It tells us different story and that is, our problem is not only because of excessive slow bowling or lack of quality fast bowlers but something else and we need to address this unknown first before blaming conditions or other factors and only then we can look at issues like these.....

Hassan.Farooqi
on April 28, 2011, 13:28 GMT

Ireland is not a better team than Bangladesh, it has more experienced players because they get to play in English county, whereas Bangladesh players do not. In this world cup, Ireland victory over England was a one man show compared to team work by Bangladesh. Ireland does not have a solid fan base, nor has solid cricketing structure.
Fast bowlers work harder, are injury prone, and have a shorter career. Unless there is special compensation, Bangladesh is not likely to have a big lineup of pacers.

ilovcricket
on April 28, 2011, 13:26 GMT

Most Irish players play county cricket and are way better than Bangladeshi players, play better first class cricket , I cant understand why they are not given test status yet?

@mightymf ....know before you talk....bangladeshs only upset was against australia?!?!?! oh comeon!!! who kicked india out of 2007 world cup??? who beat south africa in 2007 world cup?? who beat england this world cup when we were down 169/8 chasing 226?? who whitewashed NZ just before the world cup 4-0 ?? leave aside ireland...the only upset done was against england...that made ppl mad..i just dunno why you guys are so much against bangladesh...it seems like each of you have personal issues with bangladesh cricket...

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 12:44 GMT

SEE THE RANKING!!!
BANGLADESH IS NOW ON 8.IT MEANS THAT BANGLADESH IS BETTER THE WEST INDIES AND ALSO IRELAND.

NairUSA
on April 28, 2011, 12:41 GMT

Fast bowlers are important. However, even India, who is leading up the charts in Test Cricket do not have out and out pacemen in their ranks. Medium pacers who are wily enough can make a considerable difference in the higher levels of cricket.
Siddons is probably talking about one single dimension of Bangladesh cricket that needs improvement. A long term focus with a definite eye for results is what is lacking from the Bangladesh cricket administrators. Once that they realize that, I am sure that the Bangla team will find the right mix of talent to start performing well. Best luck!

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 12:18 GMT

Mr. Siddons if you visit Pakistan you will find the wickekts are more dead than the wickets in Bangladesh, but see we produced Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Sarfraz, Sami, Umar Gul, Aamir and a lot many. Reason is not wickets problem is with coaching academy structure should be improved. And talent hunting should also be improved. Like Wasim Akram pointed Wahab, Aamir, Junaid, Sohail Tanveer etc.. and see they are one of the best bowlers in the world. At this point I agree with you. Only good pitches does not produce fast bowlers. Aussies have best fast bowling pitches why don't they produce fast bowlers like Glenn, Fleming, Gillespie and Lee.. now a days ?? Can you explain ? Cause Australian Domestic circuit is also exposed ... those were individual greats who made Aussies the champs. When a team has 8 or 9 world class match winners you should admit they are champs. They really were but, now ? Its all over for them .....

Zeeshan_Khan
on April 28, 2011, 11:48 GMT

Ireland is far far better team and deserve test status. BD dont.

Shah234
on April 28, 2011, 11:29 GMT

Half of the cricketing world should start again! BD does not have good results against NZ, England? See stats of BD and Ireland match

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 11:27 GMT

even on slow, low and flat wickets, good pace bowlers who change up pace and also line and length when needed, throw the odd cutter, an effort ball at rib height even on a slow wicket can be good. Good bowlers get wickets in all conditions, bad pace bowlers only get tailenders out or get wickets on green tops

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 11:09 GMT

aminul islam,mortaza are good pace bowlers...i still remember dravid getting injured by a quick bouncer....so the talent is there,,,only if bangladesh can have a england,aus or aouth africa tour

mightymf2000
on April 28, 2011, 10:34 GMT

Replace them with Ireland. Bangldesh's only big upset I can think of is winning against Australia in 05 (though Aus was distrated by what Andrew Symonds decied to do) and challinging the Aussies in 2006 on their turf. While Ireland has had good results against Test teams(Pakistian, England) I think it would be good for Bangldesh cricket.

Jama
on April 28, 2011, 10:08 GMT

Ireland is way better than Bangladesh

dsig3
on April 28, 2011, 9:30 GMT

Well as the recent series against Australia shows even pitches designed for spin wont save BD. As I have said before its time for BD to start again. Its no use pretending to be world class when clearly not.

No featured comments at the moment.

dsig3
on April 28, 2011, 9:30 GMT

Well as the recent series against Australia shows even pitches designed for spin wont save BD. As I have said before its time for BD to start again. Its no use pretending to be world class when clearly not.

Jama
on April 28, 2011, 10:08 GMT

Ireland is way better than Bangladesh

mightymf2000
on April 28, 2011, 10:34 GMT

Replace them with Ireland. Bangldesh's only big upset I can think of is winning against Australia in 05 (though Aus was distrated by what Andrew Symonds decied to do) and challinging the Aussies in 2006 on their turf. While Ireland has had good results against Test teams(Pakistian, England) I think it would be good for Bangldesh cricket.

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 11:09 GMT

aminul islam,mortaza are good pace bowlers...i still remember dravid getting injured by a quick bouncer....so the talent is there,,,only if bangladesh can have a england,aus or aouth africa tour

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 11:27 GMT

even on slow, low and flat wickets, good pace bowlers who change up pace and also line and length when needed, throw the odd cutter, an effort ball at rib height even on a slow wicket can be good. Good bowlers get wickets in all conditions, bad pace bowlers only get tailenders out or get wickets on green tops

Shah234
on April 28, 2011, 11:29 GMT

Half of the cricketing world should start again! BD does not have good results against NZ, England? See stats of BD and Ireland match

Zeeshan_Khan
on April 28, 2011, 11:48 GMT

Ireland is far far better team and deserve test status. BD dont.

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 12:18 GMT

Mr. Siddons if you visit Pakistan you will find the wickekts are more dead than the wickets in Bangladesh, but see we produced Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Sarfraz, Sami, Umar Gul, Aamir and a lot many. Reason is not wickets problem is with coaching academy structure should be improved. And talent hunting should also be improved. Like Wasim Akram pointed Wahab, Aamir, Junaid, Sohail Tanveer etc.. and see they are one of the best bowlers in the world. At this point I agree with you. Only good pitches does not produce fast bowlers. Aussies have best fast bowling pitches why don't they produce fast bowlers like Glenn, Fleming, Gillespie and Lee.. now a days ?? Can you explain ? Cause Australian Domestic circuit is also exposed ... those were individual greats who made Aussies the champs. When a team has 8 or 9 world class match winners you should admit they are champs. They really were but, now ? Its all over for them .....

NairUSA
on April 28, 2011, 12:41 GMT

Fast bowlers are important. However, even India, who is leading up the charts in Test Cricket do not have out and out pacemen in their ranks. Medium pacers who are wily enough can make a considerable difference in the higher levels of cricket.
Siddons is probably talking about one single dimension of Bangladesh cricket that needs improvement. A long term focus with a definite eye for results is what is lacking from the Bangladesh cricket administrators. Once that they realize that, I am sure that the Bangla team will find the right mix of talent to start performing well. Best luck!

dummy4fb
on April 28, 2011, 12:44 GMT

SEE THE RANKING!!!
BANGLADESH IS NOW ON 8.IT MEANS THAT BANGLADESH IS BETTER THE WEST INDIES AND ALSO IRELAND.